Metro rail in Delhi and Chennai has decided to install platform screen doors (PSD) in underground stations for crowd management and to stop people from attempting suicide by jumping on to tracks.
The Hindu reported that these doors are synchronised to open along with the train doors, thereby blocking access to the tracks for commuters.
80 people have attempted suicide in Delhi's metro tracks. 17 of them have died.
The screen doors will also prevent passengers from being pushed on to tracks during peak hours, and bring a bit of discipline as people will be forced to line up instead of standing scattered and rushing for the doors when the train arrives.
While Delhi has doors in 6 out of 150 stations, all 19 underground stations of Chennai Metro Rail will have this facility.
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The screen doors to be constructed in the underground metro stations will also help in reducing energy consumption.
“All the underground stations are air-conditioned, so the electricity consumption will go through the roof without this PSD,” said an official
“ If not for this, the cool air will escape and run along the entire tunnel for several km and consumption will be exorbitantly high. As such, the electricity consumption for the underground stretch may be triple that of elevated one.”.
